Last week I talked about journal prompts for growth. If you did any of the prompts, you may have realized there are things in your life you want to shift. If that was the case, great! It is crucial to periodically check-in and assess your attitude towards life and if you like the trajectory you are on. One practice that I believe to be incredibly underrated and helpful in this process is challenging yourself to say “yes,” more often.
Now, I am not talking about living like Jim Carry in “Yes Man.” That could leave you in some predicaments you do not want. However, I do think it is important to approach opportunities without fear and with excitement for what may come. Even if you cannot see the result from where you are now, get excited.
Teachers and guides talk about following your passions to reach your desired end goal. Though this is a good idea in theory, in practicality is can be difficult to figure out what your passions are. The easiest way to identify the things you are passionate about is to act. Say yes to opportunities and find out if they resonate with you when you do them. If you do not try a new thing, you miss out on ways to discover more about yourself.
When I was in college, I was unsure about what career to pursue, however I loved to write, so I challenged myself to contribute to a publication weekly for 6 months. I had never done anything like it and, being someone who typically keeps thoughts and opinions to herself, it was a leap I was nervous about, to say the least. However, when the opportunity presented itself, I knew it would challenge me and help me grow in new ways. I said yes to the job, which led me to a great internship, which ultimately paved the way for a career that I love!
We find what we are looking for in life. If you are seeking out the good and the growth, you will find the good and the growth. If you are seeking out the negative and the wrong, you will find the negative and wrong. Our attitude can make things appear like either opportunities or roadblocks. It all comes down to mindset. When we approach prospects with a mindset of openness and a willingness to say yes, not only does our world widen but we may be pleasantly surprised to discover a new hobby, workout, or job that we love.
A few ideas:
*Grab a pen and paper and sketch the scene in front of you.
*Sign up for a Pilates, Yoga, or Zumba class at your local community center.
*Watch a video about a hobby that has always interested you (gardening, photography, line dancing), whatever it is, there’s a video out there that explains the basics.
*Instead of picking up take-out of your favorite meal, try to make it at home.
*Already have an interest that you do sporadically? Commit to it for a set amount of time. Example: write or practice daily for 30 days; make a new meal once a week for the next 3 months.
*Ask a work friend out to dinner.
*Accept the offer that you have been putting off.
*Start the business you have been waiting to begin.
*Volunteer at a local pet shelter, homeless shelter, or soup kitchen.
*Reach out and network; do not keep waiting for the “perfect moment.”
*Bring your talent to an open mic night.
Do not be afraid of new opportunities. If an idea peaks your interest, explore it. Do not keep yourself in a box to satisfy a projection of the person you think you are “supposed to be.” Let yourself change and become. Life is too short to avoid trying new things. Step outside your comfort zone and enjoy discovering what you love (and what you do not love), all while cultivating a deeper relationship with yourself in the process.
Alina Gersib